“Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.” (“The Courage to Teach,” by Parker Palmer).
“The Heart is a Lonely Hunter,” the 1968 film adaptation of Carson McCullers’s celebrated first novel, starred Alan Arkin as the deaf-mute main character, John Singer.
Let us reflect in two parts this Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent. The first focuses on the Gospel, specifically the figure of John the Baptist. The second is a reflection on Gaudete Sunday.
The last two weeks, we ran a module in the formation program we have with public school principals, supervisors and teachers that ended with a discussion of vision.
In a 1960s homily, Fr. Horacio dela Costa, SJ, reflected on the theme of authority. His main point in his homily was that authority is life-giving. It is interesting that in Jesus’ first encounter with the people in this Sunday’s Gospel, the first impression we get is that he wowed people, “for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
In one of our annual eight-day retreats when we were theologians—the final stage of studies and formation for priesthood—Fr. P. Divarkar, SJ, our retreat director, used this Sunday’s Gospel to introduce the second week of the Spiritual Exercises.
I once joined a concelebrated Mass for a building’s groundbreaking. As the main celebrant and I prepared to distribute Communion, he announced in English and Filipino, “Because we are all sinners, we must all go to Communion.” I walked to the back of the tent, where most of the construction workers and drivers were.
Last Wednesday we observed Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. It was inspiring to see churches full for the Masses and, as one evening newscast reported, a lot of young people filled the churches.
My life is my gospel, no different from Matthew’s, Mark’s, Luke’s, or John’s of the New Testament; it is a testimony to the existence of God in my life as witnessed by me.
Last week we reflected on the renewal of spirit, how moments of grace make us remember and renew our spirit, the inspiration that gives us life and meaning; the inspiration that shows us our mission to which we dedicate our life.
